Apparatus for catching falling rain.



H. A. BEARD. APPARATUS FOR GATGHING FALLING RAIN. APPLICATION FILED JULY11, 1912.

1,1 18,259, Patented Nov. 24,1914.

QL- w attomwq HERBERT A. BEARD, BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA.

APPARATUS FOR CAT-CHINE FALLING RAIN.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Application filed July 11,1912. Serial N 0. 708,749.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT A. BEARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beaufort, in the county of Beaufort and State of SouthCarolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Catching. Falling Rain, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements .in apparatus for catching rain.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the abovementioned character so constructed that the catchment receptacle thereofcannot be blown over and will swing with the wind to be disposed at alltimes parallel to the direction of the falling rain.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the abovementioned character, which is attractive in operation, the same swingingin all directions with the wind and remaining parallel to the directionof the fallingrain', thus indicating such direction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying draw 11 s formin a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, Figure l is a central longitudinal sectional View throughapparatus embodying my invention, parts being shown in elevation, Fig. 2is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is aplan View of the gimbal joint structure removed, and, Fig. 4

- 1s a similar view of a holding sleeve.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 4 designatesupstanding arms, having their upper ends bent inwardly and surrounded bya retaining ring 5. The upper ends of the arms 4 are apertured, forreceiving extensions or trunnions 6, formed upon an outer verticallyswinging ring 7 included in a gimbal joint. This gimbal joint comprisesan inner ring 8, provided with outwardly extending trunnions 9, disposedat a right angle to the trunnions 6 and serving to pivotally connect theinner ring 8 with the outer ring 7, whereby the inner ring is free toswing'at a right angle with respect to the movement of the outer ring,as is customary in a gimbal joint structure. Arranged above the innerring 8 in spaced concentric relation is a retaining ring 10, connectedtherewith by depending inclined legs 11, as shown. This retaining ringis provided with a suitable number of openings 12, formed therein bybending its material outwardly, for receiving pins 13, formed upon aholding sleeve 14. This holding sleeve is arranged below the retaining.ring 10, moved upwardly to pass the pins 13 through the openings, 12 andthen turn whereby the pins 13 will engage. portions of the retainingring 10.

Connected with and depending from the holding sleeve 14 are vertical airvanes 15, preferably increasing in width downwardly and connected attheir lower ends by a plate 16, as shown.

The numeral 17 designates a catchment receptacle to be mounted withinthe holding sleeve ll, the same being provided at its upper end with anoutwardly extending flange 18, as shown.

In operation, the arms 4 are vertically arrangedand held stationary byany suitablemeans. The Wind by engaging the air vanes v15, will swing orshift the catchment receptacle, which is free to turn by virtue of thegimbal joint structure so thatthe catchment receptacle is retainedparallel to the direction of the falling rain.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. Apparatus for catchingrain, comprising a stationary upstanding post, a gimbal joint structuremounted thereon, a catchment vessel supported by one element of thegimbal .joint structure, and air vanes conof the holding sleeve, and acatchment vessel mounted within the holding sleeve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HERBERT A. BEARD. Witnesses B. F. STAToN, W. C. REoToR.

